About a whole week had gone by and Liana was acting as if I ceased to exist. The Fall Ball was in a few days and she hadn't asked me like I'd hoped, or talk to me for that matter. It was killing me. The only positive thing I had going was that I was passing Transfiguration, so I wouldn't need a tutor.

I was in my room. Neither of my roommates was there, so I rummaged through my drawers until I found a bottle. A bottle of poisoned mead that I was supposed to give to Dumbledore. But I couldn't bring myself to. Sure, it'd be an easy way out of this mess… but it would never work and I knew it.

I sighed, which led to me breaking down. I couldn't stop. It was just too much. Everything with Liana, the mission, keeping up with my assignments… It was all too much to bear. I looked in the mirror and didn't even recognize myself. I was ghastly pale and very skinny. I hadn't really had much of an appetite, actually. At least if Liana and I were on speaking terms, it would make me happy. But she'd made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with me. I just wanted to know why. That's all I wanted. I laughed because I'd just lied to myself. I wanted her as well.

I put on a white blouse with black pants and a blazer to match. I put on my gold watch and went downstairs to the common room to meet Flora Carrow. She'd asked me to go with her just a couple days ago. She was only a fourth year, but that didn't matter. I was only going because I wanted to see who Liana was going with. I knew it was mean, but I'd get away with it as long as I kept my cool.

She was wearing a knee length green dress, of course. She smiled when she saw me. "You look lovely," I said, holding my arm out. She took it and together we made our way to the Ball. By the time we got there, it seemed that mostly everyone had already arrived. I didn't see Liana though.

"I'll go get us some drinks," I said, smiling before I left her. I spotted her twin sister, Hestia as I walked by. I went to the punch bowl, getting a cup. I poured some inside and took a gulp. Where was Liana?

My thought was interrupted when Blaise stepped in front of me. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I'm with Flora," I said, taking another sip. He smiled and shook his head. "I'm assuming that you're with Tracey?" Blaise nodded.

"You always find a way to get what you want, eh?"

"Of course," I said, smirking. I turned and I saw her… with Finnigan! What the bloody hell was he doing here? And with her? I poured punch into another cup for Flora and returned to her.

"Thank you. There's something different about you, Malfoy. Why are you being so kind?" she asked, raising her eyebrows. "I never thought that you'd actually say yes when I asked."

"Why's that?" I asked, looking in the crowd to see where Liana had taken off to.

"Because I'm only a fourth year… and you are Draco Malfoy." I didn't answer her. I only smirked.

"Care to dance?"

"Sure."

I caught Liana's eye as I danced with Flora. She was a nice person. Maybe we could be close. As friends of course. Liana frowned when she saw me. Maybe she was jealous. I sure hoped so. Because I wanted to hurt her, just as she'd hurt me.

I smiled and so did Flora. She must've thought I was smiling at her. I felt a little guilty about using Flora to get to Liana, but it had to be done. I was actually having a good time. Especially watching Harry and Hermione dance… They were arguing because apparently Harry was stepping all over her toes with every step.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Liana leave. There was my chance. I excused myself and left the party to find Liana. She was just around the corner sitting on the floor with her knees to her chest. She was crying. Great, I thought. This will be much more challenging.

I sat down next to her and stared at her, but she wouldn't acknowledge me. Finally, she said, "You win."

"What? What do you mean that I win?" I hadn't the faintest idea as to what she was talking about. Had we been playing some game that I didn't know about?

"You win. You proved your point."

"Why did you come with Seamus?"

"Because I figured it would annoy you the most when you heard about it. I heard that you and Flora were going together…You know how gossip spreads around here… Why'd you come with Flora?"

"Because I had to see you. And I wanted to see who you came with since that guy wasn't me."

"Well you saw me," she said. Then she finally looked at me. "Remember when you told me that you liked me?" I nodded.

I remembered perfectly well. "Why didn't you say anything? You made me look like an idiot. I told you how I felt about you and didn't say a thing. Then you ignore me for two weeks? I don't understand." I wanted answers and I wanted them now. She'd been holding back a lot of things and she needed to tell me what the hell was going on with us.

"I just… I don't know. It's just that it's hard to tell someone how you feel after getting your heart broken. I regretted not saying anything to you. I mean, I was being a bitch that day because it hurt seeing you with Pansy. I wanted to talk to you, but I didn't know what to say."

"I know that it's hard. A lot's been going on and I haven't stopped thinking about you."

"I haven't either. I like you too… And I'll admit that I was jealous when I saw you with Flora."

"Not as jealous as I was seeing you with Seamus… Especially after he punched me in the nose. Are you two together?"

"Of course not. We're just friends. I don't want him."

"So who do you want then?" I said softly. She looked down at her shoes. She didn't say anything for a moment. I used my fingertips to put her chin up so that she was facing me. "Who do you want?" I repeated. Liana leaned closer to me so that our noses were touching.

"I want you," she whispered. Then her lips crashed into mine. All the emotions built up inside of us had taken over. I finally got what I wanted. This kiss was different from the others. This time, there was passion and it drove me mad. I'd never liked anyone this much in my life. I could've cried when she pulled away from me.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. This is perfect."

"I want to be with you," I said. "Do you want to… give us a go?"

"I'd like that."

"Let's get out of here," I suggested. I stood up, brushed myself off and helped my new girlfriend up. I could hardly believe it. Liana Blake was mine. I loved the thought of that. "First, we should probably make up some excuse to get out of our dates."

"Right," she said and went back inside. I followed a moment later. Walking in together would have been a bit much. Flora turned when she saw me coming. I put on a fake sickly face, hoping it'd get me out of this.

"Are you okay? You look sick," she said. She placed a hand on my arm. "Maybe you should go to the hospital wing. I could walk you."

"No, no. I think I've just had a bad cup of butterbeer. I think I need to sleep," I said, rubbing my stomach. "I'm sorry I'm ruining the party for you. I hope you've had fun."

"Of course. I understand. Who wants to party with an upset stomach?" I smiled in gratitude and took off. On my way out, I didn't see Liana anywhere. I assumed that she had already managed to get away from Seamus.

"Liana," I called, continuing down the hall.

"Draco," I heard her say. I turned around to find her walking toward me. She ran toward me and threw herself in my arms. I held her for a few moments, breathing in the scent of her apple scented perfume. She always smelled like apples. Maybe that was why I found myself eating apples more often… "Don't ever let me go," she whispered.

"I won't," I said. Then I picked her up and carried her all the way to the Astronomy Tower. We sat down side by side, holding hands. The sky was black, and the moon was illuminating the grounds with light.

"Why'd you bring me here?" she asked quietly.

"Because it's quiet. And I like it up here," I replied. I faced her and pulled her in for a kiss. I lay back, putting my hands behind my head. She lay down on my chest, listening to my heart beat. I was nervous, so it was probably beating twice as fast. "What are you thinking about?"

"You, of course," she said. I smiled. There was no place I'd rather be than with her. Nothing could possibly change that. She meant more to me than some stupid ball or even my mission. I wished that we could just run away so that we could really be together.

How do you like the fanfic? Is it any good? If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to review and/or message me. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. And hopefully you'll enjoy the ones to come. Trust me, Draco is going to do something extremely drastic. And it'll put damn near everyone in danger. Suspense!